03 Feb 2023  |   05:35am IST

Gen-Zs of # Instagram of Goa

Instagram is the most booming infotainment social media platform all around the world. Considering Gen-Z makes up approximately 2.56 billion of the world’s population, they are active users of Instagram. The media platform has given an empowering boost to the Gen-Zs, and the Goan teens are totally slayin’ it!

Aalokshi Awade

T

he COVID-19 Pandemic started in March 2020, shutting people down in their homes due to a global lockdown. But the E-Era ensured the creativity and talent of the teens, and the Gen-Z remained in the spotlight. Safeguarding their creativity, and uniqueness, and creating opportunities for social media users, the media platform formed a bridge between fellow users, connecting the world virtually. These social media platforms included Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. Gen-Z, the generation born between 1997 to 2012 took over Instagram, and TikTok at a global level, voicing their opinions through relatable content. This gave rise to many content-creators ranging the content of interest from food, travel, fashion, mental health, health and sciences, music, art, etc.

Instagram became one of the most accessed social media by teens, and young adults after TikTok got banned in June 2020 while FaceBook was the media platform preferred by the Millennials (1977 – 1995), and the Gen-X (1965 – 1976); content was served regardless of the age differences. The lockdown undeniably affected our mental health, while few content creators made relatable content featuring most of our daily lives, thus transforming ‘Pain into Power.’ Gen-Zs are considered the generation that is too opinionated, or the generation that always puts themselves first. Self-love has never been an issue as long it is not accompanied by self-obsessed narcissism.

Goa is deeply rooted in content considering its beaches, food, art, literature, cafes, history, and architecture. Goa is also known for its institutes, getting the Gen-Z’s all over India and the world engaged in education as well. For Indian influencers, content for their Instagram padges usually constitutes of nightlife, beaches, the themed-cafes, travel, and lifestyle; whereas for the local Goan influencers, content involving the local food, the recipes of their mother’s cooking, the history behind the architecture, the significance to their native language, and the content involving local cafes is more prominent. The institutional population of Goa constitutes Gen-Z, which also highlights their local ‘hand-out’ spots through their content.

Ruben Rodrigues, aka Mr. Kurkurit, an Instagram food-influence, food blogger, and YouTuber who has won Best food influencer of the year by SIBA ( social influencers and bloggers award ) for the year 2022 shares, “Instagram is a booming platform in the world for content. Personally, I like being in the spotlight. Trying new food, and having people make them or try it out makes me happy knowing I can reach people through a virtual platform where they also get to explore food and experiment with it.” He also described his grandmother’s, and mother’s cooking which got him trying cooking for himself during the pandemic and slowly posting recipes, and reviews about food, and his experiences. The twenty-two-year-old Gen-Z has reached 80K followers now. Chloe Fernandez, a 20-year-old content creator thinks the ‘Macro influencers inspire the micro influencers.’ She has her content revolving around travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She thinks the pandemic got the creativity out in the generation, and it’s more of building yourself and having unique content.

Nadia Khatib says” Food connects you with people. When it comes to other domains of content creation, I think fashion for Gen-Z is based on aesthetics. So, food is universal which bonds people and different cultures.” She also stated, “Cafes are getting hype over the local restaurants. So if we’re to talk about food trends, cafes, and themed cafes take a win. But due to the same, the authentic Goan food is not recognized in the way it should.” Viraj Phadte, another 24-year-old content creator, sticks to making his content in Konkani. “I usually make content that is general. I think Instagram has given us all a platform for creativity in these past two years.” The content creator is now at his 40K followers who enjoy his content in Konkani.

But the millennials also have a take on Gen-Z’s being all creative on Instagram and voicing their opinions through content creation. Sarthak, a millennial content creator and influencer who’s settled in Goa for the past five years said, “Instagram is like the new FaceBook for them. I first started using Instagram in 2015. I think the features of Instagram are user-friendly, and the algorithms ensure that the right content of interest for its user pops in the FYP(For You Page)” Larissa Vaz, a food and lifestyle content creator thinks, “Instagram is not just for sharing. It’s empowering in a way.”

The gram has taken over Gen-Z’s. Having opportunities to collaborate with their favorite brands and artists, as well as fellow influencers and content creators, Instagram has it all! Even for the users who prefer having their accounts private, it ensures the same for every user. The Pinterest trends and aesthetics have been recreated on Instagram, and the TikToks being reposted; Instagram has also connected India with the rest of the world since the ban of TikTok. Romanticizing life is the approach Gen-Z’s have towards their life, cos ‘YOLO’ and #postedcauseIfeltlike make them’ in my element’ as Instagram protects their boundaries and respects them.